Deal actioneed to plug £24m PSNI budget gap

A £24.5m (€29m) gap in the budget of the Police Service of Northern Ireland is to be plugged, it was announced today.

Struggling to manage a £130m (€153.7m) cut in its three year funding allocation, the service had faced the prospect of shedding civilian jobs in a bid to balance its books this year.

The PSNI’s independent scrutiny body – the Policing Board – last month rejected Chief Constable Hugh Orde’s budget over fears front line services would be affected.

While the government has not provided extra money it is permitting the police to draw down money from its 09/10 budget to tackle the current crisis.

The deal follows talks between security minister Paul Goggins and the Policing Board today.

“I made it clear from the outset that while there was no extra money available, the government would work with the Board to help find ways to balance the policing budget,” said the minister.

“I am pleased that a way forward has been found that will enable the Board to do that without suspending recruitment. This is a good result all round.”

Policing Board chair Desmond Rea said that, while the budget had been balanced for 08/09, there would still be an impact on the service.

“Whilst the gap has been bridged with minimum impact to the delivery of frontline policing service, the ability to invest in infrastructure for the future will be affected,” he said.

“The challenge remains to deal with the historical funding issues, which are placing an unsustainable burden on the budget.

“The PSNI and the Board will be taking this forward in the weeks and months ahead.”

On top of the ongoing funding problems, the police are currently facing estimated legal bill of £87m (€103m) because officers weren’t offered adequate ear protection during firearms training in the Troubles era.